Page 12 of Cold Carnage

"Paige," he greeted, setting his pen down. "What brings you here?"

"We need to talk," I said, closing the door behind me. "Wolfe just informed me that one of our sponsors is unhappy and might pull funding."

Gideon's expression darkened. "Which sponsor?"

"He didn’t specify," I replied, frustration creeping into my voice. "But he mentioned it casually, like it wasn’t a big deal."

"It is a big deal," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "We can't afford to lose any sponsors right now."

"Why wasn't I told about this earlier?" I demanded. "If there's something affecting the team this significantly, I need to know."

He sighed deeply. "It’s complicated, Paige. There are layers of politics here that you’re just starting to see."

"I’m aware," I replied evenly. "But keeping me in the dark isn’t helping anyone."

He leaned back in his chair, regarding me thoughtfully. "You’re right," he admitted after a moment. "I should have been more transparent with you. The truth is, some people don’t trust you yet."

"Because of Ryker?" I guessed.

He nodded slowly. "His opinion carries weight with the team and the sponsors. If he’s skeptical of you..."

"It affects everything," I finished for him.

"Exactly."

I clenched my fists at my sides, feeling a surge of determination. "I need names and details about this unhappy sponsor," I said firmly.

Gideon studied me for a moment before nodding again. "All right. I’ll get you that information."

"Thank you." I turned to leave but paused at the door. "I appreciate your support."

"You are what’s best for the team, Paige," he replied seriously. “If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be here.”

I left his office with a new resolve burning inside me. Navigating this web of politics and trust was going to be more challenging than I’d thought, but giving up wasn’t an option.

Chapter 4

Ryker

Ipushed open the door to my apartment, the click of the lock echoing in the stillness. My place was the very definition of peace, meticulously designed to reflect order and control. The living room opened up with its sleek lines and monochromatic palette. A large leather sofa faced a state-of-the-art entertainment system, untouched bookshelves lining the walls. The glass coffee table was pristine, not a speck of dust in sight.

I tossed my keys into a designated dish on the console table, everything having its place. I moved through the space, each step measured. The kitchen gleamed with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Even the barstools were perfectly aligned.

In the bedroom, I pulled out a fresh towel from the linen closet, its contents folded with military precision. The bathroom mirrored the rest of my apartment—spotless, with every item in its rightful spot. I turned on the shower, waiting for the water to reach just the right temperature before stepping in.

The hot water pounded against my skin, washing away the grime of the day but doing nothing to ease my mind. Paige’s faceflashed before me, her wide eyes and confident smile from that damn sponsorship meeting. I clenched my jaw, anger bubbling up at how she’d handled it so effortlessly.

She was supposed to be inexperienced, naïve even. Yet there she was, proving me wrong. And Leo Wolfe—the thought of him made my blood boil—chatting her up like they were old friends.

My hand pressed against the tile as I leaned forward, letting the water cascade over me. Despite my irritation, an unwelcome sensation stirred within me. Paige’s face morphed into something else entirely—her hair damp from rain during that one meeting outside, her lips parting as she laughed at something Wolfe said.

I hated it—how out of control she made me feel. My body reacted in ways I couldn’t command or suppress. It felt like a betrayal of everything I stood for: discipline, perfection, control.

She was Brendan's…

Had been…mine, even for a night.

Before all of this.

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